SHANGHAI -- A domestic Chinese parts maker this month is starting to supply steering gears to Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile Co.
Jingzhou Henglong Automotive Parts Co., which makes power steering systems, will supply 3,000 power steering gears per month to Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen for the Dongfeng Peugeot 206.
Sales in China of the domestically made 206 were down 50 percent in the first 5 months of 2008 to 6,978, according to data from Automotive Resources Asia, a division of J.D. Power and Associates.
The company has also developed power steering gears for the Dongfeng Citroen Elysee and the Picasso. Gears for the Dongfeng Citroen Elysee R23 model and the Picasso N68 model are undergoing tests, with commercial production expected to begin October 2008.
In May 2007 Jingzhou Henglong won its first contract with a joint venture automaker in China, FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Co.
Jingzhou Henglong's parent company, China Automotive Systems, reported a 46.1 percent jump in first quarter sales to $41.5 million (284 million yuan).
